GSx
plus
USER'S MANUAL
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
COPYRIGHT 2011 Gerber Scientific Products, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This document may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part,
without written permission of the copyright owner.
This document is furnished to support the GSx
plus
. In consideration of the
furnishing of the information contained in this document, the party to whom it
is given assumes its custody and control and agrees to the following:
1. The information herein contained is given in confidence, and any part
thereof shall not be copied or reproduced without written consent of
Gerber Scientific Products, Inc.
2. This document or the contents herein under no circumstances shall be used
in the manufacture or reproduction of the article shown and the delivery of
this document shall not constitute any right or license to do so.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
GSx
plus
, Knife Mode Switching, Corner Correcting Technology, IP Plus, Gerber Mask, and GERBER EDGE are
trademarks of Gerber Scientific Products, Inc. GerberCal is a registered trademarks of Gerber Scientific
Products, Inc. 3-in-1 is a registered trademark of Boyle-Midway, Inc. HP-GL is a registered trademark of
Hewlett Packard. ScotchCal and Scotchlite are trademarks of 3M.
FCC NOTICE
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is
operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at
his own risk.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions
from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadi-
an Department of Communications.
Le present appareil numerique n'emet pas de bruits radioelectriques depassant les
limites applicables aux appareils numeriques de la classe B prescrites dans les
Reglements sur le brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le Ministere des
Communications du Canada.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents.....................................................................................................................................3
Chapter 1: Introduction..............................................................................................................5
Description ...............................................................................................................................................5
Performance .............................................................................................................................................5
Convenience .............................................................................................................................................5
Support Information ...............................................................................................................................6
About This Manual .................................................................................................................................6
Conventions .............................................................................................................................................7
Package Contents.....................................................................................................................................7
Chapter 2: Installation................................................................................................................8
Plotter Work Area....................................................................................................................................8
Connect to the Plotter..............................................................................................................................9
Communication Parameters ..................................................................................................................9
Power Cords...........................................................................................................................................10
Power-Up Sequence ..............................................................................................................................10
Chapter 3: Set up .......................................................................................................................11
Plotter Selection .....................................................................................................................................11
Add Plotters ...........................................................................................................................................13
Delete Plotters ........................................................................................................................................13
Assign Default Plotter...........................................................................................................................14
Chapter 4: Materials and Tools ..............................................................................................15
Materials .................................................................................................................................................15
Tool Force Dial.......................................................................................................................................18
Chapter 5: Tools and tool handling.......................................................................................20
Storage.....................................................................................................................................................20
Tool Holders...........................................................................................................................................20
Pen Holder and Pens.............................................................................................................................21
Knife Holder and Blades ......................................................................................................................23
Chapter 6: Operation ................................................................................................................26
Power-Up................................................................................................................................................26
Front Panel .............................................................................................................................................26
Chapter 7: Special Diagnostics...............................................................................................31
Diagnostic Options................................................................................................................................31
Chapter 8: Error Conditions.....................................................................................................34
Chapter 9: Maintenance...........................................................................................................36
Cleaning and Lubrication.....................................................................................................................36
Fuse Replacement..................................................................................................................................38
Chapter 10: Plotter Adjustments ...........................................................................................40
Troubleshooting Guide.........................................................................................................................40
Z Axis (Tool Height) Adjustment........................................................................................................42
X Axis Belt Adjustment.........................................................................................................................45
Y Axis Backlash Adjustment................................................................................................................48
Drum End Play Adjustment ................................................................................................................50
GSx
plus
Plotter Assembly .......................................................................................................................53
5
Chapter 1:
Introduction
Description
The GSx
plus
is a state of the art 15-inch (38.1 cm) plotter designed for use with
the OMEGA
system and other sign design systems.
Note: When the GSx
plus
is used with other sign design systems, contact the
system manufacturer to obtain a driver for the GSx
plus
.
Performance
The GSx
plus
is designed to precisely register graphics up to 50 yards (45.7 meters)
long using carbide blades for crisp, sharp cuts. It cuts up to 25% faster than
comparable plotters for rapid cutting of all but the most demanding materials
such as sandblast stencil. Gerber's exclusive Corner Correcting Technology
assures sharp, easy-to-weed corners
Able to handle complex jobs, the GSx
plus
cuts at 4.7 inches (11.9 cm) per second
(on a straight line). When used with OMEGA, the GSx
plus
uses the Plot Spooler
feature to receive and plot files while the operator continues to design at the
system.
Convenience
The GSx
plus
has many features that make it easy and convenient to use:
Accepts any standard Gerber materials in 15-inch wide rolls.
Draws, cuts and pounces up to 12.75 inches (32.4 cm) high. Using the
OMEGA system Panel feature, the GSx
plus
can cut text or graphics in
strips up to 96 feet (29.3 meters) long and 12.75 inches (32.4 cm) wide.
Adjustable tool force for uniform cutting with the turn of a dial.
Stepper motor drive for consistent performance and easy maintenance.
On-board 4K buffer in addition to OMEGA buffers.
6
Quick installation.
Simple to use keypad requires minimum training
Support Information
If you require assistance, please contact your Gerber distributor or contact the
Gerber Technical Support:
phone: 800-828-5406
fax: 860-871-3862
www.gspinc.com
About This Manual
This manual explains the installation and operation of the GSx
plus
plotter. It
assumes the operator is familiar with the OMEGA software system. It tells you
how to assemble, install, operate, and maintain your GSx
plus
as follows:
The "Introduction" provides information about the GSx
plus
and a list of
contents of the shipping crates.
"Installation" contains instructions for plotter assembly and connection to
OMEGA.
"Set Up" contains instructions for managing plotters.
"Materials and Tools" gives information about material, loading the vinyl,
and use of the tool force dial.
"Tools and Tool Handling" discusses procedures on using and replacing
the pen, knives, and pounce wheel.
"Operation" provides information about plotter operation and slew key
functions.
"Special Diagnostics" presents examples and instructions for diagnostic
tests.
"Error Conditions" lists common error conditions and corrective
procedures.
"Service and Maintenance" provides cleaning, lubricating, and fuse
replacement instructions.
"Plotter Adjustments" includes a troubleshooting guide as well as
symptoms of plotter adjustment problems.
7
Conventions
The following conventions are used in this manual:
Note: A note contains important information which could affect successful
completion of a task.
CAUTION: A caution statement contains information which, if not
observed, could result in damage to the equipment.
WARNING: A warning statement contains information which, if not
observed, could result in personal injury
Package Contents
This section lists the contents of the GSx
plus
shipping container. As you unpack
the GSx
plus
plotter, inspect all items for damage that may have occurred during
shipping. Report any damage to your dealer at once. Save all packaging
materials in case it becomes necessary to transport the plotter at a future date.
The GSx
plus
package contains the following:
1
GSx
plus
plotter assembly
1 User’s Manual
1 Roll holder 1 Warranty card
1 Plotter power cord 1 Service contract
1 10 foot RS-232 cable 1 Tool Kit
2 fuses
Contents of tool kit
1 Pen holder with pen
1 Knife holder with knife
1 Tool lift washers (on tool holders)
2 Spare life washers
1 Allen wrench
1 Pair tweezers
1 Pen height gage
8
Chapter 2:
Installation
Please unpack the plotter boxes and inventory the contents before you begin to
assemble the plotter. Follow these instructions to install the GSx
plus
plotter to any
OMEGA. Installation of the GSx
plus
to other sign design systems is described
separately.
Note: Should you experience difficulty during installation of the GSx
plus
to the
OMEGA system, contact Gerber Field Service Department at 800-828-5406.
Plotter Work Area
1 Carefully remove the GSx
plus
from its packaging materials and place it
near the OMEGA system. The cable is 10 feet (3.1 meters) long, so the
plotter need not be located immediately beside the console; however, it
should be close enough so there will be no strain on the cable after
installation.
2 Place the material roll holder next to the plotter on the right side.
9
Connect to the Plotter
CAUTION: Be sure power is turned off and the power cord is
unplugged at both the OMEGA system and the plotter.
1 Insert the 9-pin connector at the end of the RS-232 cable into the 9-pin
RS-232 connector on the back of the computer system.
2 Carefully align all pins. Use the connector thumb screws to secure the
cable to the system.
3 Insert the 25-pin connector at the end of the RS-232 cable into the 25-pin
RS-232 connector on the back of the plotter.
4 Carefully align all pins. Secure the cable to the plotter with the
connector thumb screws.
Communication Parameters
If you are connecting the GSx
plus
to a system other than the OMEGA, the plotter
uses these RS-232 communication parameters:
Communication Parameters
9600 Baud
No Parity
8 Data Bits
1 Stop Bit
Xon/Xoff Flow Control
The plotter has a 25DB female connector with these pin assignments:
Pin Signal
2 Tx
3 Rx
4 RTS
5 CTS
7 Sig Gnd
All other pins are not connected.
10
Power Cords
1 Insert the female connector of the GSx
plus
plotter power cord into the
socket on the rear panel of the plotter.
2 Connect the power cords for both the OMEGA system and the GSx
plus
to a multiple outlet strip. The strip should be plugged into a standard,
grounded electrical outlet (115V +/- 10% AC, 60 Hz or 230V AC, 50
Hz).
3 Turn power on at the system and the plotter.
CAUTION: When the power is on, never try to manually move the
carriage, move the drum, rotate the tool, or force the tool up or down.
Attempting to manually move the GSx
plus
in any axis of movement
while the power is on may damage the plotter.
Power-Up Sequence
When the GSx
plus
is turned on, the following sequence occurs:
1 A short beep sounds, the Power light comes on, and the RUN CONT
and RUN SINGLE lights blink.
2 As the GSx
plus
performs self-check tests, the lights over the RUN keys
flash, and one additional beep sounds.
3 When the self-check is complete, the lights blink and the plotter beeps.
4 The plotter beeps and goes off-line. Only the power light remains on.
This is the initial setting at power-up.
Note: Rapid, continuous beeping and flashing lights may signal a self-check
error. See the "Error Conditions" section for more information.
11
Chapter 3:
Set up
After connecting the plotter to OMEGA, you will use the GQMgr program in
OMEGA to make the GSx15
plus
accessible. When using the GSx15
plus
with sign
design systems other than OMEGA, contact the system manufacturer to obtain a
driver for the GSx15
plus
, installation instructions, and setup information.
Plotter Selection
1 Open GQMgr.
2 Click Install, in the drop down menu select plotter. The Add or Delete
Plotter/Router(s) dialog box opens.
3 Click the GSx15
plus
in Available Plotter/Router(s) to highlight it.
12
4 Click the Com Port to which the plotter is connected Com 1 through 7
in the ports box.
5 Click Add. An Add – Name Device dialog box opens. Read the on line
instructions then click OK.
6 Select GSx15
plus
in the Installed Plotter/Router(s) box, then click
Preference..
Note: The default plotter is noted by an asterick to the left name in the installed
plotter list box.
7 Click Close. You will return to GQMgr.
13
8 The GSx15
plus
plotter can now be accessed through OMEGA.
Add Plotters
Multiple plotters can be added to your system. They must be added one by one.
1 Click the plotter you wish to add from the plotters list box.
2 Click the port it will be connected to.
3 Click Add. The highlighted plotter is added to the Installed
Plotter/Router(s) dialog box.
4 Click Close. You will return to GQMgr.
Note: For each plotter you add, a number is added after the plotter model
number (for example, GSx-1 for the first plotter added, GSx-2 for the second).
Delete Plotters
To remove plotters from the system
1 Open GQMgr.
2 Click Install, in the drop down menu select plotter. The Add or Delete
Plotter/Router(s) dialog box opens.
3 Select the plotter you want to delete in the Installed Plotter/Router(s)
dialog box to highlight it.
4 Click Delete. The plotter will be removed from the list.
5 Click Close. You will return to GQMgr.
14
Assign Default Plotter
A default plotter can be assigned if more than one plotter is connected to
OMEGA.
Note: There must be two or more plotter names in the Ready for Plotting
box to select a default plotter. If only one plotter is installed to the OMEGA
system, that plotter will automatically be assigned as the default plotter.
To assign a default plotter
1 Highlight the name of the desired default plotter in the Installed
Plotter/Router(s) dialog box.
2 Click Preference. An asterick will appear to the left of the plotter name.
3 Click Close. You will return to GQMgr.
15
Chapter 4:
Materials and Tools
Materials
The GSx
plus
uses the same plotting materials as all Gerber plotters. Gerber vinyl
products in high performance or intermediate grades are available in translucent,
reflective, or metallic finishes and come in a wide range of colors. Also available
are direct-cut screenprint stencil, ruby photo film, paint masking material, rubber
sandblast stencil material and heat transfer materials. Consult your Gerber
distributor for further information about available materials, colors and prices.
Always insist on Gerber authorized materials for highest quality results.
To load material
CAUTION: Gerber recommends that you load material without a tool
in the carriage to prevent damaging the knife blade.
1 Slide the roll of material to be used onto the roll holder. Pull the end of
the material away from and over the top of the roll holder toward the
plotter.
CAUTION: When power is on, the carriage spindle must be moved
only by using the slew keys. Attempts to manually move the plotter
drum, rotate or force the tool up or down will damage the plotter.
CAUTION: While power is off, center the carriage by gently pushing
toward the center of its travel. Take care to move the carriage slowly
and firmly by gripping the right end of the carriage housing, not by
gripping the carriage spindle.
CAUTION: Do not use the way shafts to lift or turn the GSx
plus
. This
will damage the system and reduce plotting accuracy.
16
2 Center the carriage spindle preferably by using the slew keys (see
"Front Panel" section) or manually, with certain precautions as outlined
here. Be sure that the carriage spindle is not located at either extreme
end of its travel and that both ends of the rubber drum can be reached
easily.
3 Open the bail arms at either end of the drum by pulling them up and
away from the drum.
4 Using the slew (arrow) keys, rotate the drum until three closely spaced
pins are visible. These three sprocket pins are used to align the material.
To feed and align material
1 Feed material under the black cam shaft and over the rubber drum. See
the illustration below.
2 Place the holes in the material over the sliding sprocket pins first.
Match the three closely spaced sprocket pins and holes.
17
3 Slide the material and the sliding sprocket to reach the fixed sprocket
and place the material over these sprocket pins.
4 Center the bail arms over the sprockets. Move the adjustable bail arm at
the rear of the plotter slightly forward or backward to accommodate
small differences in the material width. Securely close the front bail arm
first and then the rear bail arm.
Helpful hints
When you change materials, open the bail arms and roll the material back
onto the roll. Tape the ends securely to prevent the roll from unraveling.
Before unrolling vinyl for a job, determine how much material you need.
Check the length of the longest line in the job, or the width of an
automatically laid out sign or digitized design. Remember that if you are
plotting in the Axis Swap mode, you need to consider the height of the
job rather than its width.
The most practical way to unroll material for a job is to use the slew keys
on the plotter. It is best to unroll more than enough material, rather than
"just enough," in case your estimate is not accurate. You may also pull
material from the roll by hand. This may be the simplest method if you
are plotting relatively small jobs.
When you have advanced enough material for the job, feed it back
through the plotter, or otherwise position it appropriately according to
the tool start position selected from OMEGA. If you have a large quantity
of material piling up on the table, be sure to arrange the material in loose
accordion folds so it can feed easily. Make sure the material is positioned
to feed straight into the plotter rather than at an angle.
18
Tool Force Dial
The tool force dial on the front of the housing indicates the tool force setting and
the amount of tool force, or pressure that is applied to the tool during operation.
This pressure ensures uniform cuts and pen lines. Tool force can be adjusted by
turning the small knob on the end of the tool force housing, as shown in the
illustration below.
Settings
The Plotter User Reference Card at the end of this manual lists approximate tool
force settings. Be sure to refer to this list of settings when changing materials or
applications. Below are some initial suggestions.
For drawing, start with a tool force setting of about .5. If your pen does
not make a clear dark line, you may wish to increase the tool force
setting.
When cutting regular vinyl, set the tool force setting at 1. The knife will
not pivot at corners and will begin to cut through the material if the
pressure is set too high.
Heavier material, such as reflective vinyl, requires increased tool force
settings.
Worn blades require increased tool force settings.
Before cutting, refer to the Plotter User Reference Card at the back of this
manual for suggested tool force settings for different tools and
materials. Set the tool force accordingly. If you find that different tool
force settings produce more satisfactory results with your particular
system, tools, and materials, be sure to mark the preferred settings on
your card for future use.
19
Adjustments
Several factors affect tool force and require setting changes:
Type of material — See Plotter User Reference Card.
Knife and tool — Drawing, cutting, and, and blade angle all affect the tool
force setting
Blade wear — Increase tool force after several thousand cuts.
Gerber recommends experimenting with tool force settings as well as
keeping a logbook of the settings. Refer to the Plotter User Reference Card
for guidelines.
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